Adjusting the Cold Start Solenoid on Spica Injected Cars

With the engine idling and at operating temp, pull the wire off the cold start solenoid (CSS). (The CSS is the cylinder mounted on top of the Spica pump near the back.) Note the RPM and use a jumper wire to energize the CSS with +12 volts. Do this by connecting one end of the jumper to the starter where the heavy gauge battery cable connects and momentarily touch the other end of the jumper to the top of the CSS, where the OEM wire is normally connected.

Engine speed should drop about 75-100 RPM when the CSS is energized. If this is not the case, loosen the 24mm locknut at the base of the CSS and adjust. If the engine speed drops more than 100 RPM or stalls, turn the CSS clockwise to lean out the pump. If the engine speed drops less than 75 RPM, turn the CSS counter clockwise to enrichen the pump. You should not need to rotate the CSS more than one or two turns to get the right RPM drop.

If you rotate the CSS multiple turns and can�t get the desired RPM drop, there may be a problem with the injection pump or CSS, or the CSS may be unscrewed too far to start with. The base of the CSS should be about 1/4 inch above the surface of the pump. If it�s not, screw in the CSS so it�s 1/4 inch above the surface of the pump and try the adjustment procedure again.

[A suitable CSS wrench can be made from scrap steel or a sacrificial 24mm wrench from a �Big Lots� kind of place can be ground thin to fit. Mike Houser in the St Louis Alfa Club also owns a wrench he made, which can probably be borrowed. RHH]

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